Alpilles - 4 Things to Know Before Visiting

Glanum was a prosperous and ancient town dating back from the 7th century BC. The site is renowned for its two well-preserved 1st century BC monuments, known as "Les Antiques"- a mausoleum, and a triumphal arch.

Abbaye de Montmajour is a fortified Benedictine monastery that was founded between the 10th and 18th centuries. During the Middle Ages, it was a major pilgrimage site. Today, the abbey ruins are preserved by the Centre des Monuments Nationaux as a historical monument.

Located in the city of Aries, Arles Amphitheatre is one of city’s most important and impressive Roman structures. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Arles Amphitheatre was built in 90 AD and during its prime time, it had a seating capacity of over over 20,000 spectators. It was built to conduct chariot races and bloddy hand to hand battles.

The Alyscamps is a large Roman necropolis, which was consecrated in the 3rd century by Saint Trophime, the first bishop of Arles, as a burial ground for Christians. They were famous in the Middle Ages and are referred to by Ariosto in Orlando Furioso and by Dante in the Inferno. Christians from far up the river Rhone river would send corpses down the river on rafts with a coin in the mouth to pay for burial in this necropolis.

The Church of St. Trophime is one of the iconic structures in Arles, built between the twelfth century and the fifteenth century. It is a Roman Catholic church and an ancient cathedral in the town of Arles.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the palace is one of the largest medieval Gothic buildings in Europe. Palais des Papes is a historical and architectural landmark and primarily a tourist attraction. It is also part of Avignon’s thriving cultural scene and hosts concerts and exhibitions as well as the Festival d’Avignon in its courtyard, making it an integral part of the city’s modern artistic traditions.